‘We cannot just continue to think that there is enough land out there, that there’s enough water and forest and wetlands to destroy, to respond to our insatiable greed, so to speak, for food and fibre and animal feed. Business as usual is not an option’ – Ibrahim Thiaw.
Professor Nkwantabisa: Dr. Basabasa and Opanin Wisdom, I bring you warm greetings from Nairobi, Kenya.
Dr. Basabasa: Happy to see you Prof. I thank God for the travel mercies to a number of African countries. I am also happy that you are sound and safe.
Opanin Wisdom:
I recall you saying in our recent phone conversation that you happened to be at the scene of the recent protest in Kenya. Hmm, your arrival in Ghana has also coincided with the announced date for the nationwide strike by Organised Labour in Ghana against the sale of some SSNIT hotels. It appears a wind of revival has started blowing. I am happy to know that the President of Kenya has responded positively to the protest and started implementing wise decisions. The decision of the Organised Labour is now forcing some of our political actors and institutions to respond positively.
Dr. Basabasa:
Prof., you can see we are sitting under this mango tree. We have been doing so in recent times because there is so much heat in our bedrooms, offices, and pockets. We need the fresh air from nature. I am for the wind of positive revivals that have started blowing. Our political leaders should be reminded over and over that ultimate human power belongs to the people.
Professor Nkwantabisa:
Your reflections this afternoon brings to my mind a question a number of people have been asking me. Repeatably, I have been confronted with the question about who to vote for in Ghana’s upcoming general election in December 2024.
Opanin Wisdom:
I have also been confronted with that question over and over. Over the years, we seem to have been voting for political colours and symbols without objectively judging the performances and conducts of our political actors. The elephant has failed to demonstrate that it is big enough to satisfy the real needs of the people. It seems to be rather swallowing what belongs to the suffering masses. The umbrella does not appear to have what it takes to provide enough shelter against the ongoing rainstorm. If the elephant and the umbrella are being perceived as disappointing and untrustworthy, can salvation come from a butterfly or facemask?
Dr. Basabasa:
Butterfly? Mask? I do not think they are credible alternatives.
Professor Nkwantabisa:
Sometimes, salvation comes from sources that are usually despised.
Opanin Wisdom:
Prof., I agree with you. My challenge however is about whether we need a mask in heat or dark movements. Would there have been the butterfly movement if its founders have had the opportunity to lead the elephant?
Professor Nkwantabisa:
We then have only two obvious options.
Opanin Wisdom:
That would have been the case if this election is going to be business as usual. I however do not think the 2024 election should be business as usual.
Dr. Basabasa:
What then are the other options because I am struggling with the choice between the elephant and the umbrella.
Opanin Wisdom:
Dr., please do not be too hard on yourself. Voting is indeed a right; not a privilege. You can choose to exercise a right or not. Voting should not be by compulsion but by sound decision. Will you employ a corrupt and dishonest manager to manage your business? Life always offers us many options. The problem is that we are usually too fixated with the choices that mostly appeal to our emotions and biases, even if we know that those choices are bad. Why do you want to endorse impunity or disrespect? Do you want to sacrifice principles of accountability? Why are you tolerating greed, mediocre, state capture, lies and political trading?
Dr. Basabasa:
Of course, vote of no confidence is also an option. Apathy is another. It seems to me that we keep on allowing some of our political leaders to consistently take as for a ride. I will not allow myself to be deceived again by election roads, election freebies, political loans and political talks. Populist, tribal, religious and deceptive politics have landed our nation in a ditch. We need to arise and save the destiny of this nation. We need to fight the good fight. We need to speak up and act when it matters most.
Professor Nkwantabisa:
We need to rethink our voting patterns since the inception of the Fourth Republic. We need to demonstrate to our political leaders that we can longer afford to allow them to substitute transformational leadership with mere political leadership. I am deeply burdened to pray for the destiny of this nation because it cannot be business as usual. May the good Lord hear our prayers and guide us to make sound choices that will turnaround the dwindling fortunes of our great nation. May He also empower us to muster the necessary courage to challenge the status quo and force the hands of some unreasonable or greedy leaders to do the needful. May He help us to safeguard posterity.
Opanin Wisdom:
Beyond prayers, we need to act decisively; speak up; and participate in the descion making processes of this nation. We cannot afford to keep on sitting on the fence. We cannot afford to leave the destiny of Ghana in the hands of mere political leaders. Ghana’s 2024 general election cannot be business as usual. We cannot also vote as business as usual. I agree with Ibrahim Thiaw that business as usual is not an option.
Richard Obeng Mensah, author of If You Think of Your Opposition You Lose Your Position. The writer is an award-winning prolific author of 8 books and over 250 articles on legal and non-legal themes. The writer is also a fellow of the Brew-Hammand Energy Centre, KNUST, Kumasi. He is also a pastor, lawyer, law lecturer, certified life and leadership coach, and a blogger.
Email: richardobengmensah@gmail.com
Mobile: +233 (0)246 556 774.
Blog: https://richard-obeng-mensah.blogspot.com/?m=1
Publication History
Authored on 13/07/2024 and published on 16/07/2024 on the author’s blog and other social media platforms.
Acknowledgement
The writer appreciates the critiques and valuable comments of his Editorial Team to this write-up. He however holds the sole responsibility for the content of this write-up.